CPA Bulletin

12 CPA Bulletin > November 2022 www.cpa.uk.net CPA CONFERENCE: 1 Until quite recently, industry professionals could have been forgiven for not knowing much about ESG (Environmental, Social and corporate Governance) strategies. However, following the unprecedented events of recent years, from the pandemic and lockdowns to supply chain disruptions and spiralling energy costs, ESG is now high on the corporate agenda for businesses both big and small. Basically, all companies need to know about it and take appropriate actions. But what does ESG mean in theory and practice? And how does it impact on plant-hire professionals? Those were the fundamental issues discussed at the CPA Conference 2022 entitled ‘ESG - Driving Change: How Environmental, Social and Governance Benefits Construction Plant Businesses’ held on 20th October 2022 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre near Coventry. The Conference comprised three panel discussions amongst industry professionals, with the debate steered by event convenor Merryn Myatt , a former BBC news presenter who now specialises in media management and communications for large and small organisations. She ensured that the discussions addressed key themes and challenges. Opening the Conference, CPA Chief Executive Kevin Minton described how ESG was another challenge that the Association was helping members to meet, following hard on the heels of issues like Covid-19, supply chain disruption, material costs, labour shortages, costs of capital and the red diesel rebate’s removal for construction use - let alone the political turmoil of recent months. The industry had been tested like at no other time previously, he said. However, plant-hirers had proved themselves to be flexible and adaptable in addressing these challenges and exemplifying best practice. ESG gives a similar opportunity for the industry to be modern and dynamic while remaining efficient and competitive. Moreover, organisations like the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) argue that investors and financial institutions increasingly look at a business’s ESG policies as part of their vetting and checking procedures, so the issue cannot be ignored, said Kevin. ESG is also an opportunity to engage with all elements of a company’s workforce and supply chain. And as more Tier 1 contractors adopt new approaches as part of their ESG policies, these will trickle down to other sub-contractors and suppliers, he said. Discussing the background to the implementation of ESG practices, the first panel session was entitled ‘Setting the Scene - the Economic Context and Outlook for UK plc’, with two speakers: Laura Capper , Head of Manufacturing & Construction for NatWest bank including Lombard, its asset finance division; and Chris Cassley , CPA Policy Manager. CPA Conference 2022 The ABC of ESG Alan Guthrie reviews CPA’s Conference 2022 which discussed why plant-hire organisations need to adopt ESG strategies. Speakers discussed the challenges, gave practical advice on achieving improvements in the Environmental, Social and corporate Governance spheres – and explained how businesses can positively benefit from the process.